Simon Delestre’s upturn!

Press Release – A champion must know how to rebound after hard times, and Simon Delestre proved that he is one of them, by winning the 4* Grand Prix of the Jumping International of Valence. The second and third place of Kevin Staut and Roger-Yves Bost, his Rio gold medalists French team’s teammates as Simon had to retire because of Hermes Ryan’s injury, collaborates to the great history of the afternoon. Three tricolors on a podium of a Grand Prix only ten days after the Olympics, the French equitation confirms its domination. This splendid scenario thrilled spectators, ending the second edition of this jumping.

Our world number 2 had simply an exceptional weekend. Simon Delestre finished all his rounds clear, with Utah d’Aiguilly ranked in the three intermediary classes, and his star Chesall Zimequest, second in the qualifying class of the first day, now winner of this 4* Grand Prix. “An amazing week-end” for the tricolor rider, thrilled to participate in such an event: “It was remarkable. We are received in optimum conditions, and I think that it’s hard to do better. I knew what to expect because I was here last year already, but it’s truly difficult to keep the same top quality from a year to another. Though, they did as good, surely better, and it’s a real pleasure for us to come here” France’s best rider seek and found good feelings here, a must-do to rebound after the misfortune that stroke him in Rio: “It was a technical jump-off, but I had good sensations on both rounds. Rio was a hard time to process. It a year of training, preparation, I had a horse at 300% of its capabilities, and I came back home with an injured horse, because of an accident that simply never happens. It’s hard, but that’s how the sport is. We can move from all to nothing in one second, and you must know how to process both victories and defeats. After what happened, it’s good to feel this way again, and to be this competitive on the first show, with a victory”. Kevin Staut and Bosty were happy for their Team France’s teammate, as they are the one who came back from Rio with the gold medal around the neck. These champions rank respectively second and third, proving their excellent shape after their Olympic feat. They both still had an amazing weekend too, Kevin Staut wins the major 4* class of Friday night, and Bosty the one earlier this day with Pégase du Mûrier. All three thrilled the public of the Haras des Grillons.

The Jumping International of Valence was overall the first international showjumping appointment after Rio, and spectators came in number to see and cheer their heroes. A special atmosphere was felt all weekend by riders and members of the organization, happy to share together this moments, as Sadri Fegaier, president of the show, explains: “riders were surprised because we had an amazing public, compare to what you can see on other shows. We have significantly exceeded 10 000 spectators, we have a lot of positive feedbacks, it was incredible to live. We couldn’t dream for better”. Besides, Simon Delestre is already prepared for next year: “Well we’ll have to defend our title!” A promise also kept by Great Britain Laura Renwick, incredibly efficient in Valence, named best rider of the show, and who leaves with the key of a luxurious Mercedes-Benz. With such riders willing to come back for the third edition of the Jumping International of Valence, Sadri Fegaier dreams about a fifth star for his event: “We have made the request, but I think it’s only a formality because today, we already offer a five-stars level show”.

Press Release Jumping International of Valence